Totalitarianism & Pre-WWII

Dynamic Leader

A charismatic, authoritative leader who symbolizes the government and rallies people to support the regime.

Ideology

a set of beliefs that guides political, economic, or social actions.

State Control of Individuals

The government controls aspects of private life and demands loyalty.

Methods of Enforcement

Police terror, censorship, indoctrination, and persecution.

Indoctrination

The process of teaching citizens to accept government beliefs uncritically.

Persecution

Hostility and mistreatment, often based on race, religion, or political beliefs.

Mass Communication

To spread propaganda and control public opinion.

State Control of Society

Government regulation of education, business, religion, and the arts.

One-Party Rule

A political system where only one party controls the government.

Police Terror

The use of violence and fear by police to enforce obedience

Stalin

Totalitarian leader of the Soviet Union after Lenin.

Great Purge

Stalin's campaign of political repression and executions.

Pravda

the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, used for propaganda and spreading party policies.

Communist Party

the ruling political party of the Soviet Union, which pursued Marxist-Leninist ideology and promoted state control of the economy.

Atheism

the absence of belief in gods or deities, often associated with communist ideology in the Soviet Union.

Command Economy

An economic system where the government controls production and distribution of goods and services.

Five Year Plan

a government initiative in the Soviet Union to promote rapid industrialization and economic growth over a five-year period, focusing on heavy industry and collective agriculture.

Kulak

a wealthy peasant in Russia who was opposed to collectivization.

Collective Farm

A large farm operated as a unit under collective ownership, where multiple farmers work together, often in accordance with government policies.

KGB

the main security agency for the Soviet Union, responsible for intelligence, counterintelligence, and state security.

Mussolini

Italian dictator and leader of the National Fascist Party who ruled Italy from 1922 until his ousting in 1943.

Fascism

A political ideology and movement that seeks to create a centralized, authoritarian government led by a dictatorial leader, emphasizing nationalism and often employing militarism.

Il Duce

a title used by Mussolini, meaning "The Leader" in Italian, signifying his role as the head of the Fascist Party and the Italian government.

Ovra

The secret police of Fascist Italy, used to suppress political opposition and dissent under Mussolini's regime.

Hitler

The leader of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945, who implemented fascist policies and initiated World War II.

Nazism

A far-right ideology associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, characterized by militarism, extreme nationalism, and racial supremacy.

Mein Kampf

The ideological manifesto written by Adolf Hitler, outlining his political views, including anti-Semitism and the goals of the Nazi Party.

Lebensraum

The concept of 'living space,' which was a key element in Hitler's expansionist policies, advocating for the acquisition of territory for the German people.

Aryanism

A belief in the superiority of the Aryan race, often used to justify racial discrimination and expansionist policies in Nazi ideology.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice and discrimination against Jews, often based on negative stereotypes and historical scapegoating.

SS

A paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler, responsible for many atrocities during the Holocaust and enforcing Nazi ideology.

Gestapo

The secret police of Nazi Germany responsible for suppressing opposition and enforcing Nazi policies through intimidation and violence.

Hitler Youth

A youth organization in Nazi Germany that indoctrinated boys and girls into Hitler's ideology and prepared them for future roles in the regime.

Joseph Goebbels

Nazi Germany's Minister of Propaganda, known for his mastery of media to control public opinion and promote Nazi ideology.

What was the significance of Manchuria?

Region invaded by Japan in 1931, beginning aggressive expansion.

What happened in Ethiopia?

Italy invaded in 1935 to build its empire.

What is Rearmament?

Hitler’s policy of rebuilding Germany’s military.

What was the Rhineland?

Demilitarized zone reoccupied by Germany in 1936.

What is Appeasement?

Giving in to aggressors to maintain peace.

Who were the Axis Powers?

Germany, Italy, and Japan

Who was Francisco Franco?

Fascist leader of Spain after the Spanish Civil War

What was the Munich Conference?

Meeting where Britain/France gave Hitler the Sudetenland in hopes of peace

What was the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact

Agreement between Germany and USSR to not attack each other.

What triggered WWII?

Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939.